THE PAYNE FAMILY

Temuka Leader, Issue 2295, 19 December 1891, Page 2

THE PAYNE FAMILY

This talented company gave a performance in the Temuka Volunteer Hall on Thursday evening, and, as we expected, the building was packed, among the audience beings visitors from all parts of the district. The; visit had been looked forward to with the most pleasurable anticipations, and those present appeared to thoroughly enjoy ; themselves. The outburst of applause at the conclusion of each and prolonged, and in many cases encores were demanded, but only in two or three instances were they conceded. It is unnecessary to go through" the whole programme ; several of the items were given by the company on previous visits, but they were none the less welcome for all that. Mr Ralph Steele was' most successful in his solos, as was also Miss Maud Payne and Miss Alice Saunders. The selections given on the hand bells by Misses Lizzie and Maud Payne and Alice

Saunders and Messrs Steele and W. J. Payne—" The Signal March," "Armor Bearor," Lifeboat," and "Highland Scliottische " —were delightful. The. time was good, and not a false note was sounded. A trio on the hand bells, " The Bluebells of Scotland," was a treat, as was also a couple of Scottish selections on the musical glasses by Mr Steele. Several violin relections were given, by special request, Miss Maud Payne played " The Mocking Bird." But it is in the part songs the company most excel, and they fairly carried the audience away with them in these. The humorous numbers convulsed the audience with laughter. Notably among these were the quartette "Sobbing," the trios " Three little maids from school," "Tick ling" and " Sneezing," and the part song "Johnny Schmoker." The part song " The Bells," was a splendid performance, and the vocal and instrumental quartette, " Fairie Voices," showed how thoroughly at home the performers are with this class of music. Altogether "the entertainment was a most; enjoyable one. Everyone seemed'sorry when it was over, and an announcement that the company would pay a return visit in February was received with applause. On the previous evening the company appeared in Geraldine in the Volunteer Hall, and drew a tremendous house, it being Anniversary Day. Every available seat was cvaiumed, and many had to stand, and from the frequent applause and demands for encores it could be plainly seen that the programme was greatly appreciated.